BILL FOR OFF-COURSE BETTING THIS YEAR WITH DOUBLES, MORE TROTS, TIPS, DIVIDEND PUBLICATION & NON-TOTE SWEEPS

Grey River Argus, 12 October 1949, Page 5

BILL FOR OFF-COURSE BETTING THIS YEAR WITH DOUBLES, MORE TROTS, TIPS, DIVIDEND PUBLICATION & NON-TOTE SWEEPS

(Press Association) WELLINCtTON, October 11 Off-course betting - on the totalisator, in accordance with a scheme to be approved by the Minister of Internal Affairs, is authorised by tliei Gaining ' Amendment Bill, which was introduced and read the first time in the House of Representatives to-day. A scheme will be submitted by the Now Zealand Racing and Trotting Conferences for the Minister’s approval. - ‘ The Bill also provides for the following: — (1) A totalisator agency board, to control the scheme. This board will be appointed by the Racing and Trotting Conferences. (2) The operation of the doubles totalisator. (3) The publication of dividends. (4) Tipping by newspapers. (5) An increase from three to five pn the number of totalisators on a racecourse. (G) An additional nineteen days for trotting. (7) Tiie removal of the present limit of £5 that can be subscribed to sweepstakes at non-totalisa-tor race meetings.

TOTE BOARD'S POWERS

The Totalisator Agency Board is authorised to borrow moneys, and, to enable it to cany out its functions, advances may be made to it by the Minister of Finance, subject to such security as he thinks fit.

There are machinery clauses providing for the appointment of officers by the Board and the making of contracts by the Board. A clause dealing with the making of rules for the operation of the scheme, or for the carrying out of the functions of the Board, also states that, subject to the approval of the Governor-General, the Board may make regulations controlling the admission of persons to any totalisator agency. The Board is also empowered to prohibit the admission to a totalisator agency, just as the Racing Clubs are empowered to refuse admission to a racecourse. THE TOTE AGENCIES The operative clause states: "It shall be lawful for totalisator investments on horse races to be lodged and received at totalisator agencies situated elsewhere than at racecourses, and established in accordance with an approved scheme”. Provision is made for the payment of dividends at the agencies. THE SCHEME Not later than a day to be fixed by the Minister, the Racing and Trotting Conferences, acting together, shall submit to the Minister a scheme for the establishment and operation by the Board of totalisator agencies. The scheme shall define the functions and powers of the Board. It may provide for the number and terms of office of the members of the Board, the provision of the funds required for administration, and the operation of the scheme; and the receiving, at the agencies, of investments, and the manner in which such investments shall be made.

It may also provide for the transmission of particulars of such investments to the racing clubs at the racecourses, for registration on the totalisators; the payment of dividends, calculated in accordance with the principal Act; and the method of accounting as between the clubs and the totalisator agencies. The scheme may provide for the establishment of agencies in different places. Provision is made for variation of the scheme, or the submission of part of the scheme, but no scherhe, or part thereof, or any variation of it, shall come into force until approved by the Minister.

Advertisements are authorised giving a list of the agencies, their hours of business, and telephone numbers.

The conditions upon which invest-

ments may be received can also be advertised. Provision is made for an extension of the totalisator inspection to the totalisator agencies. DIVS. AND TIPS The existing provisions prohibiting the publication of dividends are repealed. Tipping is to be permitted only by the newspapers (other than by way of advertisement). Every person commits an offence, and is liable to a fine not exceeding £5O, who, in consideration or expectation of any payment or otherwise for gain, gives or offers to give any oral information or advice relating to the probable result of any horse race, whether in or out of New Zealand, or holds any other person out as willing to give such information or advice, o'r to make any bet or wager on the result of any horse race. This provision shall not be construed to prevent the transmission of any information or advice from any broadcasting station. ILLEGAL BETTING The procedure for the obtaining of a search warrant in respect of premises suspected to be a common gaming house has been amended slightly. The existing law authorises a Justice of the Peace to grant a warrant “upon a complaint made be; fore him on oath”, and “if such premises are commonly reported and believed” to be used as common gaming house. The Bill provides that the Justice requires merely to be “satisfied on oath - ’, and a complainant need only believe that premises are used as a common gaming house. The form of warrant is amended accordingly.

Betting on sports grounds is made an offence, punishable for the first offence by a fine up to £2O. For subsequent offences provision is made for a fine not exceeding £5O, or imprisonment up to one month. The term “sports” is widened to include dog races and wrestling matches. SWEEPS The clause removing the £5 limit on sweepstakes at non-totalisator meetings provides that a racing club may deduct up to 10 per cent, from such sweepstakes by way of commission. The preparation or possession of betting or lottery documents is made an offence punishable by a fine not exceeding £5O. Provision is made for the making of regulations for giving effect to the off-course betting scheme. The legislation becomes effective on December 15 next.